When I first learned to smock I remember being taught about blocking, having no understanding of what I was doing and then assuming that smocking was too hard for me. This prevented me from smocking for quite some time. When I finally regained the courage to do it, I purchased a million pre-pleated inserts and just practiced. After that, I was hooked, and I was already smocking straight. I stuck to inserts (give me all the Michie Playsuits and Alan’s bubbles!) and did not venture out. When I finally attempted a Bishop, I did so with help. My friend Margy and I pleated the Bishop below using the methods I…
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Smocked Bonnet- Southern Stitches
This bonnet is so sweet! I mean does it get cuter? It’s reasonably priced and can be found here. But ya’ll know me…I like a challenge when I see one. I took one look at this and decided I could definitely make it. I went on a hunt for a pattern and hit a gold mine! Southern-stitches has some seriously cute patterns-this one included! I purchased the “Button Bonnet” pattern and made my own insert but she literally has this exact pattern. The patterns are clear, well written and available in PDF. Here’s my version! I used pima batiste and made my piping out of Spechler Vogel “Baby Blue Stripe”…
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Children’s Corner Jamie…in knit!
I am on a bit of a knit kick. Well, not really just a knit kick, a Sea Island knit kick. I can’t sing enough praises for this fabric y’all. It is the perfect fabric for newborns. Heck; it almost feels like a newborn. Part of the reason I got into sewing with such a vengeance involved the absolutely absurd prices of baby clothes made out of good quality fabrics. Brands like Kissy Kissy and Magnolia Baby make the sweetest, softest clothes at a not-so-sweet price point. I have found that I am able to make similar clothes with the same fabrics for about half the price…with the added…
